Owing to their circumstances Catholics in this country live in
the very midst of Liberalism; we are surrounded by and come in
daily contact with extreme and moderate Liberals as well as
Catholics tainted with its all pervading poison. So did Catholics
in the fourth century live among Arians, those of the fifth among
Pelagians, and those of the seventeenth (92) amongst Jansenists.
It is impossible not to sustain some relations with the Liberals
who surround us; we meet them everywhere, in our social dealings,
in our business affairs, in our amusements and pleasures, even in
Church and in the family. How then shall we comport ourselves in
our unavoidable intercourse with those who are thus spiritually
diseased? How may we avoid contagion or at least diminish the
risk to a minimum?

To lay down a precise rule for every case is a difficulty
beyond human capacity; but some general rules of guidance may be
given; their application must be left to the prudence of those
who are individually concerned according to their circumstances
and special obligations.

It will be well first to distinguish, in a general way, three
possible relations between a Catholic and Liberalism or rather
between a Catholic and Liberals: 1. Necessary relations; 2.
Useful relations; 3. Relations of pure affection or pleasure.

Necessary relations are imposed upon every one by his station
in life and his particular position; they cannot be avoided. Such
are the family relations, the relations of inferior and superior,
etc. It is evident that a son who has the misfortune to have a
Liberal father cannot on (93) this account abandon him, nor the
wife the husband, the brother the sister, or the parent the
child, except in the case where their Liberalism exacts from any
of their respective inferiors acts essentially opposed to
religion so as to conduce a formal apostasy.

But it will not suffice, on the part of a Catholic, for the
taking of such a step that mere restraint is put upon his liberty
in the performance of the precepts of the Church. For we must
remember that the Church places no obligation in such matters on
a person who could only perform them under grave inconvenience
(sub gravi incommodo).

The Catholic unfortunate enough to be so placed must bear with
Christian patience his painful situation and surround himself, as
far as lies in his power with every precaution to avoid the
contagion of bad example in word or deed. Prayer should be his
chief recourse, prayer for himself and the victims of error. He
should avoid as far as possible, all conversations on this topic,
but when he finds that a controversy is thrust upon him, let him
accept it in the full confidence of the truth and armed with
effective weapons of defense and offense. A prudent spiritual
director should be consulted in the selection of his arsenal. As
an antidote to much association with Liberals, (94) let him
frequent the company of other persons of science and authority
who are in the constant possession of sound doctrine. Obedience
to a superior in all that is not directly or indirectly against
faith and morals is his bounded duty, but it is equally his duty
to refuse obedience to anything directly or indirectly in
opposition to the integrity of his faith. Courage he can draw
only from supernatural sources; God who sees the struggle will
not refuse all the assistance needed.

There are other relations which we have with Liberals, not
absolutely, but morally indispensable, and without which social
life, which consists in a mutual exchange of services, is
impossible. Such are the relations of commerce, trade, labor, the
professions, etc. But that strict subjection, which holds under
the necessary relations of which we have just been speaking, does
not exist here, and in consequence one can exercise more
independence. The fundamental rule in these cases is not to enter
into unnecessary intercourse; what the gearing of the social
machine demands, and no more, is sufficient. If you are a
merchant buy and sell with Liberals in accordance with the needs
of your business; more than this avoid; if you are a domestic
limit your intercourse to the necessities of your service; (95)
if you are a laborer, to give and receiving what is due on either
part. Guided by these rules one could live without injury to his
faith amidst a population of Jews. At the same time, it should
never be forgotten that any manifestation of weakness or
compromise is never needed. Even Liberals cannot refuse respect
to the man who stands firmly and unflinchingly on his
convictions, and when the faith is in question, despicable in all
men's eyes does he become who would sell his birthright for a
mess of pottage.

Relations of pure friendship, pleasure or affection, which we
enter into as mere matters of taste or inclination, should be
eschewed and, if once contracted, ought to be voluntarily broken
off. Such relations are certain danger to our faith. Our Lord
says that he who loves danger shall perish in it. It is difficult
to sever such connections? What if it is; we must burst the bonds
that place us in peril. Reflect for a moment. If your Liberal
companion, with whom you are constantly associating, were subject
to some contagious disease, would you then court him? If your
relations with him compromised your reputation, would you
continue them? If he were to asperse your family would you cling
to him still? Well, the honor of God and your own spiritual
safety is at stake in this matter; (96) what human prudence would
counsel you to do for your worldly interest and human honor,
surely that much at least your spiritual interests require from
you. There is but one condition upon which intimacy with a
Liberal is justifiable at all, and that is, for the purpose of
converting him; for this two dispositions are necessary: your
Liberal friend's willingness and your capacity to lead him to the
light. Even here danger is not lacking. One must be very sure of
his ground before he attempts the task.

Above all have a horror of heresy, and Liberalism today is the
most malignant of all heresies. Its face is set against religious
faith absolutely. The first thing to do in an infected country is
to isolate oneself, and if this is not possible take all sanitary
precautions against the deadly germ. Spiritual health is always
endangered whenever we come in contact with Liberalism, and
infection is almost certain if we is in a mental haze a fog which
hides from himts.